Cardiovascular Specialist I RN/RT- EP Lab

About the role

This position requires a graduate of an accredited School of Nursing or Allied Health Technology (e.g., Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Therapy) and either graduation from a Cardiovascular Interventional Program or a minimum of two years of experience as a Cardiovascular Specialist. The role involves providing patient care, operating invasive/interventional cardiology equipment, maintaining a safe environment, and participating in 24-hour emergency on-call coverage.

Responsibilities

• Adheres to general hospital standards to promote a cooperative work environment by utilizing communication skills, interpersonal relationships, and team building
• Follows hospital and departmental policies and procedures; contributes to overall quality of services; assumes responsibility for keeping informed about changes in policies and procedures
• Ensures readiness of emergency equipment and supplies; recognizes and reacts appropriately to potential emergency situations
• Checks readiness of supplies and equipment for emergency cases
• Applies knowledge of illness, injury, and disease assessment process and recognizes symptoms needing immediate intervention
• Recognizes when a situation is critical and requires immediate attention; initiates calls/codes or contacts appropriate resources needed to obtain emergency services
• Provides emergency assistance as required and/or directed by appropriate authority or emergency team leader; remains up-to-date on ACLS/BCLS
• Maintains a safe and therapeutic environment for patients, self, co-workers, and facility
• Maintains IV fluids, stock drugs, emergency drugs, and controlled substances; audits amounts and expiration dates and reports findings to Pharmacy
• Safeguards patient and hospital personnel rights to privacy by judiciously protecting confidential information
• Provides patient comfort; demonstrates safety consciousness through knowledge and adherence to safety standards
• Applies knowledge of safe and effective use of equipment; demonstrates proper technique and calibration of equipment when performing daily checks
• Maintains safe therapeutic physical environment and minimizes risk of injury by promoting fall precautions, use of side rails, and other safety practices
• Reports any equipment malfunction
• Operates all equipment needed for any aspect of invasive or interventional cardiology, including IABP
• Prepares medications and checks emergency equipment for proper function prior to initiation of catheterization
• Performs operation and quality control of all radiographic equipment
• Maintains good working knowledge of all equipment utilized to ensure continuous effective operations of the facility
• Maintains working knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures involved in operation of radiographic and fluoroscopic cardiac catheterization equipment
• Works within required regulations for radiation safety and protection involving all personnel and patients
• Consistently utilizes Universal Protocol
• Maintains files and compiles records according to procedure for accurate and current departmental records and/or reports
• Creates, maintains, and documents via electronic information systems accurate records, files, and logs for departmental records
• Enters correct patient data, assigns appropriate charges for exams, and records/collects data for Quality Assurance monitors; maintains percentage of error within acceptable standards
• Ensures complete, accurate, and timely written communication of patient information
• Completes documentation on appropriate forms (Cath Lab, nursing notes, Patient/Family Education Documentation Form, narcotic sheet, Code Blue sheet, etc.)
• Completes consistently all parts of documentation system per hospital/unit policies
• Demonstrates understanding of HeartLab archiving equipment
• Communicates to the team, co-workers, patients, and family members in an effective, positive, and professional manner
• Communicates information to patients and family members and evaluates understanding of information provided (diagnostic tests, special procedures, etc.)
• Promotes a cooperative working environment by utilizing therapeutic communication skills
• Communicates and addresses conflicts with appropriate personnel, utilizing listening skills and showing sensitivity
• Promotes customer satisfaction by being responsive to patient and family needs
• Communicates expectations to assigned team members with tact, in a clear, concise, and thorough manner
• Ensures critical patient information and data is communicated effectively across the continuum of care
• Develops and maintains communication with others to effectively plan and coordinate activities, maintaining workflow, responding quickly to requests, and keeping others informed of work progress
• Performs other duties as assigned or needed to meet the needs of the department/organization
• Utilizes Universal Protocol process for patient ID, procedure, etc.
• Provides coverage for 24-hour emergency call for Cardiac Cath Lab; rotates on-call responsibilities with other staff members
• Responds in a timely fashion (within 25 minutes) to emergency calls
• Facilitates activities between departments to ensure prompt patient care
• Administers patient care as mandated by licensure, certification, or registration
• Monitors patient to ensure physiologic stability throughout the procedure
• Utilizes advanced knowledge to properly administer prescribed medications and treatments under direct supervision of the physician
• Performs and assists in procedures using skilled techniques
• Evaluates patient prior to procedures, checking for appropriate consent and patient ID; reports alarming patient conditions; explains procedure to patient; answers and/or researches patient questions
• Positions patient properly and/or comfortably; attaches protective, diagnostic, and/or monitoring devices properly
• Assesses the patient's physical needs; evaluates effectiveness of nursing intervention; carries out physician orders
• Provides instruction, education, and consultation to co-workers, new employees, and trainees
• Participates in Continuing Education lectures and meetings; provides educational support for co-workers
• Participates in instruction and orientation on proper techniques, procedures, and use of equipment
• Attends 80% of in-services; maintains competencies (hospital and departmental)
• Performs and maintains competency for point of care testing as assigned
• Ensures compliance with NCBH policies and applicable state and federal regulations
• Maintains annual competencies – written and observed
• Participates in daily EQC when assigned and covers absences as needed
• Documents appropriately POCT data in SENSIS (Cardiac Cath Lab)
• Ensures age/developmentally appropriate patient procedures are provided in accordance with Age-Specific Care Guidelines for the specific age groups served
• Demonstrates knowledge of physical, motor/sensory, mental, psychosocial, safety, and developmental factors in the Age-Specific Care Guidelines
• Integrates Age-Specific Care knowledge in assessing patient needs and in planning, prioritizing, delivering, and documenting patient care
• Communicates information, education, and patient needs sensitive to age and development level of the individual patient/family
• Maintains competence related to age-specific patient care by regularly updating knowledge of growth and development, the aging process, and strategies to meet related needs

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing or Allied Health Technology (e.g., Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Therapy)
• Graduate of Cardiovascular Interventional Program OR minimum of two years of experience as a Cardiovascular Specialist
• Registered with and certified by the ARRT OR current license as a Registered Nurse in applicable state
• Registry or license as it pertains to Allied Health field of expertise
• CPR certification
• ACLS certification within 90 days

Qualifications & Skills

• Able to communicate on a professional level with physicians, nurses, and other ancillary professional staff when discussing patient care, procedures, or problems
• Able to comprehend instructions
• Able to obtain/communicate information to patients of varying age groups and at their level of comprehension
• Analytical skills necessary for problem assessment and solution with schedules and equipment